This fall weather we're experiencing suits you fine just like me I would imagine. The beginning of fall is September 22 just nine days away. I don't know what it is about the fall getting here but there is such a relaxing feeling in the air and so many things slow down as to give you finally some well-deserved rest from a busy summer of yard work and gardening. Mowed our yard yesterday as the 1.2 inches of rain we got late Saturday evening on the mountain greened up the grass quite nicely. Neighbors around here putting out some fall decorations to spruce up their places. Hummingbirds putting on a show as usual around the feeders. They have dive-bombed me a few times while I've been sitting on our patio. I'm planning on enjoying the beautiful view of the mountain from our patio a lot as those trees really stand out with all those vibrant colors of yellow, red, orange, and maroon leaves to captivate you. Enjoy the beauty of fall, before it leaves us.

Wayne Gunter giving me a call on Friday. He and wife Judy and the rest of the family doing well. He's written three more books and is going to start a new one before long. Can hardly wait to read them.

Talked with Mai Nell Melton on Sunday afternoon. Carlon not feeling good at all. We sure do miss them both when they can't be at church. Keep both of them in prayer.

Kathy Carpenter (Eugene and Betty Gunter's daughter) and husband John who live in Smithville are well at this time. Loved talking to Kathy last week. Her sister Karen and husband Jerry Rollins are doing fine, too.

Joann Shipper called me this past week with some sad news. Her dad, Mr Dewey Corley, passed away August 31, 2016, at the age of "90". Joann told me she was planning to have a birthday celebration for her dad who would be turning 91 in just seven days, September 7th. As it turned out, instead of planning a birthday party, she was having to plan a funeral. If you recall, I wrote in the column about Mr. Corley being blind. His daughter Joann read the paper to him. He got the Cannon Courier Newspaper and the 'little green men' I write about he simply took a great liking to. First thing he wanted Joann to read about was what that girl had written about those little aliens. Joann said he couldn't wait to get the Courier because he so looked forward to hearing what was going on with those little green men. Made my day to possibly give Mr. Corley a smile and make his day just a little bit brighter. We should all practice going that to those who are less fortunate that cannot see. I told Joann I could relate to what she was doing for her dad in reading the newspaper to him as that is what I did for my mom as she couldn't see to read either. A pleasure to do that for mom at the very least. I'm sure Joann did a lot more things for her dad like I did for my mom to give them love, attention, and happiness at a time when they needed it the most. This is where 'compassion' comes in big time to just do what should already be inside of you to know is the right thing to do. Sadly today, that compassion is lacking in so many individuals. I guess they never think that they could be in such a vulnerable position relying on someone to truly care and make their days go better by just showing them the respect and the dignity they deserve. I do believe the saying 'what goes around comes around' whether it be good or bad. Nursing homes come to mind as a place where compassion at the highest level should be shown to the elderly who cannot help themselves. They become like babies to be taken care of. In a lot of instances the elderly are so mistreated. As long as that person gets a paycheck, that is all they care about. How they treat a defenseless person is the last of their concerns. That person who has no compassion and who hurts the elderly should be booted (literally) out the back door without a second thought. Maybe some pain when they hit the pavement (that they truly would deserve) might just get their attention. The way you treat people especially the elderly will come home to you someday somewhere when you least expect it. As it should. When you're on the receiving end of abuse from someone, you'll only know then the pain and the agony you put others through.

Do keep these people in your prayers: Ruth Brown, Fay Pitts, Edith Miller, Charlie Mai Daniel, the family of Mr Dewey Corley and Denise Stanton.

If you have any news for the column, just give me a call at 615-563-4429. Have a great day!